Springbok Vice Captain, Siya Kolisi, surprised staff and patients at the Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital on Wednesday as part of Smile Week.
Smile Week is part of the Smile Foundation's initiative to provide surgery around South Africa to children who suffer from treatable facial anomalies such as cleft lip, cleft palates and burns.
Kolisi said he had mixed feelings going to the hospital because it's tough seeing children in such pain.
He realised, however, that what the Smile Foundation is doing is important as these facial surgeries go a long way to prevent children from being bullied and made fun of because of their anomalies.
Kolisi said these facial surgeries will help the children head out into the world with confidence.
He said this will also help them be confident in whatever they do.
Kolisi added that more parents know about the Smile Foundation and can get the help they need.
Smile Foundation CEO Hedley Louis said Siya Kolisi's visit to the hospital was invaluable.
"For us we are very privileged that's he's here to tell these mommies that he is proud of them, that he might be the athlete running miles and miles but their journey has been daunting. The journey of having a child born with some of these birth defects is just as daunting and he is here to support them," Louis said.
Picture; Tanya Jackson
